Houston Zoo Interview Questions
& Process
Real candidates share what happened, how many rounds they had,
and how the experience turned out.
Based on 11 interview experiences · FREE TO READ
Which role are you interviewing for?
3 roles · 11 reportsCandidate interview experiences
First-hand accounts from people who interviewed at Houston Zoo.
Houston Zoo
Intern
Intern Average Positive experience Accept offer 1 round
Interview process
Recruiter call Onsite
Interview formats
Behavioral
After applying a couple months prior, I was contacted and given a specific time to meet behind the scenes at the zoo. My entrance to the zoo that day was complimentary with an interview pass from guest services. The interview itself was professional yet friendly, conducted by three zookeepers from the relevant department. They were good at making me feel comfortable while also being direct.
Confirmed questions1 question
- What is the role of zoos in conservation efforts?
Houston Zoo
Zookeeper
Entry Average Positive experience No offer 2 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Take home Phone screen
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical
I submitted an online application and resume to HR through AZA.org. A few weeks later, HR contacted me via email to schedule a phone interview for the next week, as I'm not local. The phone interview involved two supervisors and the bird curator, and it lasted about 20-25 minutes. They asked a bunch of questions that weren't too difficult. Be ready to talk about why you're interested in the Houston Zoo. They also sent over some written questions that needed to be answered and emailed back within 24 hours.
Confirmed questions6 questions
- How have you dealt with a difficult coworker or workplace conflict? What are your strengths?
- Imagine an animal exhibit is clean and all animals are present, but there's blood everywhere. What would you assume happened and what would you do?
- What qualities do you value in a supervisor, and what do you look for?
Houston Zoo
Education Programs Supervisor
Mid Average Negative experience No offer 3 rounds
Interview process
Recruiter call Phone screen Presentation Background check Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical Presentation
The interview process started with a phone screen and then two Zoom interviews. The initial phone screen focused on basic qualifications. The first Zoom interview was unusual, heavily emphasizing personality questions and avoiding discussions about job skills. The second interview included a 20-minute presentation where I had to create a program and explain how I'd train staff on it, followed by skill-based questions. Scheduling was challenging; they initially sent interview times with only 24-48 hours' notice, which was tough but I managed. They then went silent until I followed up, as the original times had passed. After the first interview, there was about a month of silence before they invited me to the second round. Oddly, after I signed up for the second round, HR tried to schedule a phone screen again. A month after the second interview, they informed me that someone else was hired. Their organization and communication seem quite disorganized, possibly due to being short-staffed, but better planning and communication would be beneficial.
Confirmed questions1 question
- Please create and present for 20 minutes a new program designed for families from diverse backgrounds, and outline your plan for training staff on its implementation.
Houston Zoo
Carnivore Keeper
Entry Average Positive experience Accept offer 1 round
Interview process
Recruiter call Technical screen Offer
Interview formats
Behavioral Technical
Applied online. Took a few weeks to hear back about the interview. Interview was done with two senior keepers in the carnivore department. Lasted about 30-40 minutes. Took another 2 weeks to hear back about the position. Started 2 weeks after I accepted.
Confirmed questions1 question
- Can you tell me about your experience that's relevant to this role?
Houston Zoo Interview Questions
Quoted word for word from Houston Zoo interview reports.
“What is the role of zoos in conservation efforts?”
Read reports →“Imagine an animal exhibit is clean and all animals are present, but there's blood everywhere. What would you assume happened and what would you do?”
Read reports →“Do you have a favorite animal?”
Read reports →“How would you define teamwork?”
Read reports →“What is your motivation for wanting to work at a zoo?”
Read report →“What would you do in hypothetical safety situations?”
Read report →“As this is a guest service role, how would you handle an upset guest?”
Read report →“Can you describe your aviculture experience?”
Read report →“What qualities do you value in a supervisor, and what do you look for?”
Read report →Formats, difficulty and experience
Across all 11 Houston Zoo interview reports.